Our Public Lands
A podcast about our beloved and treasured public lands where I interview subject matter experts and activists from across the country who are working to protect and advocate for our public lands and their wildlife, wilderness, and cultural values.
Our Public Lands
#14 - Protecting New England’s Remaining Wildlands
In this episode, I interview Zack Porter who discusses the state of public lands and roadless areas in Vermont and across New England. He highlights the ongoing threats from logging and road construction, particularly in the Green Mountain and White Mountain National Forests. Zack emphasizes the ecological importance of these lands for clean water, carbon storage, biodiversity, and habitat protection. Our conversation touches on the challenges of preventing degradation, the inadequacies of current forest management practices, and the broader struggle to preserve wilderness areas. Zack also shares insights into his organization, Standing Trees, which is focused on stopping public land logging in New England, and the need for public support and action.
https://www.standingtrees.org/
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:07 Current State of Public Lands in Vermont
01:28 Challenges and Management of Roadless Areas
04:50 Comparisons with Other Regions
06:11 Logging Projects and Their Impact
09:07 Wilderness Act and Forest Service Policies
17:37 Public Response and Activism
20:16 Role of Environmental Organizations
31:09 Formation and Mission of Standing Trees
35:16 Personal Reflections on Wilderness
57:32 Call to Action and Conclusion